The Story of Makilene

Makilene’s husband, and father of four of her children, was dead.  The father of her small baby had abandoned them.  She had nothing.  She was hopeless.  She left her older children with a friend, and  walked for days trying to find a safe place to leave her baby.  Wherever she went people told her “Find Shelley.”  And so in December of 2009, starving and suffering from a serious skin condition, the mother and baby arrived at the Apparent Project, run by Shelley and Corrigan Clay.  Makilene discovered that the Apparent Project was not an orphanage but it was a place to find help, and hope.

The Apparent Project (AP) provided food, medical help, and diapers and formula for the baby.  They also hired Makilene for the day to wash clothes for a small wage.  She turned out to be a very hard worker and AP offered her a deal:  go get your other children, come back to work for us and we’ll pay for an apartment for you for a year.

In January Makilene returned with her family and moved into a small cinderblock apartment.  Four days later the history making earthquake struck.   Makilene’s home stood strong and she and her family were unharmed.

Makilene became a diligent worker at the AP creating beaded jewelry.  Then she developed a dream.  She wanted to own her own home.   She worked out exactly how many bracelets and necklaces it would take to achieve her goal,  paid special attention to what products were selling the best and figured out exactly how to make them.  She worked hard and over time successfully saved much of the money she needed.  Her determination to make her dreams come true became known and people sent in donations and helped her meet her goal.  She is now the proud owner of a two room house with a small yard.

People say her countenance has changed, that where she was once hopeless she now has great self-esteem and confidence.  She also has another goal, one that many Haitians share:  sending all of her children to school. We have no doubt she’ll succeed.

Market Haiti is proud to work with the Apparent Project and other artisans in Haiti to help develop skills, provide employment, and keep families together.